No Controversy with the Mares-Agbeko Rematch; Moreno easily Decisions Darchinyan

By Miguel Maravilla

Abner Mares and Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko had their rematch Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, four months after their first contest. On August 13th, Mares won a controversial victory retaining his WBC silver bantamweight championship and capturing the IBF title from Agbeko while Agbeko felt that he was robbed. During their first meeting, Mares landed numerous low blows but referee Russell Mora only warned him a couple of times and never deducted a point. Also, Agbeko went down after a low blow in the 11th round but the referee ruled it a knockdown. The judges scored their initial encounter 115-111 twice and 113-113 for Mares.

This time around Mares (23-0-1, 13 KOs) silenced Agbeko (28-4, 22 KOs) and his critics with a undisputed victory as all three judges scored the bout 118-110. “I am happy people saw the real Abner Mares,” said the fighter. “I beat him the first time and I beat him again!”

Mares was cut above the right eye in the second round by an Agbeko jab but the champ was confident of his cutman.

“I have a great cutman (with) Miguel Diaz,” said Mares. “I was concerned (so) I asked my corner if they would stop the fight and he (Diaz) looked at me, and said ‘Are you crazy? I am the best!’”

At the post-fight press conference, promoter Oscar De la Hoya broke the news that Mares would not be able to attend the presser because he went to the hospital after the fight due to the advice of the ringside physician to have the cut above his right eye examined.

“I think this decision is unfair,” said Agbeko at the post-fight presser. “You shouldn’t have to knock out your opponent to win in California. I thought I fought better tonight than the last fight.”

“I lost the fight,” admitted Darchinyan, the former bantamweight and super flyweight titleholder. “It was not my night. He beat me and I was here to fight.”

“I am happy to win in the United States,” said Moreno, a native of Panama who had never fought in the U.S. “I will keep working and fighting the best!”
Moreno (31-1-1, 11 KOs) won a unanimous decision with the scores of 116-111, 117-110 and 120-107.

Darchinyan (37-4-1, 27 KOs) and his promoter, Gary Shaw, were infuriated with the lopsided scoring of 120-107.

“One judge had me losing all the rounds,” said the former champion. “I know I lost, but all the rounds?” questioned Darchinyan.

“We know Vic lost the fight but if you are watching this fight and you read the scores you are like what the fuck?” asked Shaw.

“I feel happy and thank God my first fight in the United States went well” Moreno told FightNews. “He (Darchinyan) is a hard puncher but I was the better fighter tonight. Now I want the best at 118.”